I’ve noticed quite a few posts in the GQ forum that are on the order of “What is a ?”. These questions could be answered just as easily by typing “” into any search engine. They must know this. What is their motivation? Are they trying to run up their tally of posts?
I don’t know who said it originally, but:
“Never ascribe to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.”
Maybe it’s because it is sometimes nicer to have some human interaction with you answer. And you might get some extra info, or a different perspective in addition to the cold, hard facts.
People sometimes tell me off at work when I ask a simple question of the person next to me, when I could find the answer on our intranet, or in a manual or something.
Personally, I would (sometimes, depending on the person) prefer the answer to come from a human being.
I am also happy to answer such questions for exactly the same reason.
I’m pretty certain that people here like to answer questions too.
I second MrWhy’s comment. I think too many Dopers get too hung up about the whole “search engine is your friend” thing. If you don’t want to post in these threads, then don’t! Plenty of people are happy do do so. No harm done.
Honestly cynic mate, it does sometimes happen that people don’t understand about search engines. It was these boards (and specifically Duck Duck Goose) who taught me about the wonders of Google.
Many of my co-workers still don’t know about it, and are vastly impressed at my skill on the Internet.
But there’s another thing. This is a public forum, and starting a thread here is a little bit like being famous for a few minutes.
In a way we all post here because we want attention. It’s just that some Dopers learn how to make it a funny, enlightening or stimulating experience to others at the same time. Thus giving good value.
We can’t all be jarbabyj or Fenris, but a smart poster might say “my girlfriend broke up with me because I didn’t know what X is” rather than just “what is X”.
hint hint kids…
Redboss
What happens when Ice Wolf doesn’t know something.
Step 1: Go to Google.
Step 2: After clicking on page fifteen of umpteen pages, and after at least a dozen variations of quoted key words, I sigh dramatically. I’m good at that.
Step 3: I go to GQ. There are a load of clever people out there, Internet-savvy. I ask the question, seeking forgiveness for my audacity.
Step 4: Mainly because (a) dopers are wonderful, and (b) I ask nicely, I usually get a damn good answer.
I’ve done this three times. So, sue me.